CedarCreek Estate Winery

Something of a tongue-twister of a variety, Ehrenfelser was one of the German vinifera varieties brought to the Okanagan in the late 1970s for trials under the direction of the late Dr. Helmut Becker of the Geisenheim Institute. The variety had been developed there in 1929 by crossing Riesling and Silvaner. Like several other Geisenheim creations, it was named for a ruined Rhine castle – in this case, the Ehrenfels ruin.

The variety had its first moment of popularity in the Okanagan in the late 1980s. At least a dozen wineries discovered the variety makes excellent late harvest and icewines. However, the variety’s use in table wines had begun flagging until recently, when it has been championed by several producers, including CedarCreek. This winery has always used purchased fruit but now has planted its own plot of Ehrenfelser to fill the demand for what has become the most popular wine in CedarCreek’s tasting room.

This is a sensual, seductive wine, so aromatic that it can fill a room with lush tropical and honeysuckle fragrances. On the palate, there are flavours of peaches, apricots, pink grapefruit and pineapples. The finish is juicy and mouth-watering, with zesty acidity nicely balanced with enough natural sugar to leave a hint of sweetness. Some consumers consider this the perfect hot tub wine. It also is a fine pairing with Thai curries. 89 points.

Reviewed July 15, 2007 by John Schreiner.